RHJ - Officers

This page is dedicated to Gene Pollard who was tragically killed on Sunday, January 15, 2006

Look at bottom of page for pictures

Gene's Funeral Pictures

The following was an email sent out by Daddy-O on Monday January 16th

To everyone who rides with the Routehawgs: Myself, John & Sue End, Dale & Lenorea Leggett, Mike & Sandy Holmes, Jason Fischer(coonass), Ron Mallett, And Gene Pollard went out on a ride On a beautiful Sunday afternoon just to go ride as Mike just got his scooter back from an accident a couple of months ago. We were riding backroads in Bradford co when I saw this Pickup truck coming towards us slowing to make a Left turn, I slowed the group and made sure the driver saw us, as we passed I watched to make sure everyone was clear, I saw the pickup make his left turn as I was watching in my rear view mirror and he came to a stop in the road, I could not see the 6th set of headlights so I turned around to find out where he was. When I got to where the truck was stopped I came up on the worst thing that I have ever had to deal with in my life. Brother Gene Pollard was down,and there were no signs of life. Dale and John, being paramedics worked with him until the local paramedics arrived but to no avail. Gene was not comfortable riding in a pack so he followed a little ways behind the last bike, and the driver of the truck said "I never saw him", the accident is however being investigated as Vehicular Homicide. We all went and visited with the family after Gene was removed from the scene, and the family is going to need our help and support for a while. Also I would like to ask that you get in touch with those brothers and sisters who were along on this ride and give them your support, we all took it very hard.

I just wanted to let everyone know exactly what happened. Below is an article I found online at www.gainesvillesun.com

Thanks

Please ride safe

Daddy-O

County
A motorcyclist was killed in Bradford County Sunday after a pickup truck hit him and threw him from his bike.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Ralph Eugene Pollard, 56, of Macclenny, was southbound on his 2003 Harley Davidson at the end of a pack of bikers on County Road 225 when he was struck at 1:30 p.m. near the road's intersection with NW 188th Street, about three miles west of Starke.

Troopers said Fredrick Allen Magyari, 54, of Starke, was in the northbound lane waiting for the group of bikers to pass so he could turn left, but he failed to see Pollard and pulled into his path. The motorcyclist was thrown from his vehicle.

Troopers said Pollard was wearing a helmet when he was struck.

- Tiffany Pakkala

Funeral Information

Ferreira Funeral Home

250 North Lowder St

Macclenny Florida 32063

904-259-5700

Viewing begins at 12 pm January 18th 2006

Memorial Services at 2 pm.

If you choose, a group of us will be meeting at the Hawg Rider Store at 11:30 am to go as a group.

Friends, Family and riding Brothers and Sisters are welcome to come and pay final respects to this kind, loving and committed family man, and to gather with his survivors at the family home on Dogwood street afterwards.

The family requests that donations to the American Cancer Society be made in Gene's name as an option to flowers.

Bikes, Bikers and Biker attire are welcomed by the family.

Click here to view the Florida Times Union Obituary Notice

Click on Pictures Below to Enlarge

Submitted by Lenorea

HERE ARE SOME GOOD PICTURES OF GENE, WITH HIS FAMILY KATHY,MICHAEL AND AMANDA. ALSO ON HIS BIKE WITH HIS BROTHER JOE AT BIKE WEEK 2005

Submitted by Jeff Langlois

Hi,

My name is Jeff Langlois. I have worked at the Times Union 28 years and have known Gene since my first day on the job. Gene and I were very close. We worked together for many years. We shared our thoughts and feelings on a variety of subjects over the years. We drank coffee together every morning before work. We took our morning break together. We ate lunch together. We took our afternoon breaks together. Over the years, we got to know each other very well. Although Gene and I rarely saw each other outside of work, I regard him as a friend. In fact I regard him as a good friend. He was a good electrician, a good carpenter, and in general, a good worker. Most of all, he was a good person. I will miss him so much that it is hard to describe to you the way I feel.

Submitted by Melvin Jordan

This picture is the time gene joe and me melvin was going to Daytona bike week back in yr 2000 . It was a good time. I live in chester v.a. It was my frist time at bike week i will not for get it.

THANKS

melvin d jordan sr

Bob,

The family asked me to relay to everyone their appreciation for the support, love, prayers, and kindness shown to them during this tragic time. Gene's final ride and the tribute paid to him prior to the service was very special to the family. I was able to spend a few minutes with Kathy last night after everyone had left. She is so touched that it was hard for her to express it in words. Kathy is wanting to ride again because Gene would want her to. She is a very strong woman and in time will be alright.

On behalf of Gene "Chainsaw Man" Pollard's family, Thank You and God Bless.

Ride Safe.

John & Sue

A Message for Bill Norris - Jacksonville Chapter Chaplin

Many folks mentioned that they did not know how to pray or did not do it very well. let this small story encourage you in that area.

DADDY'S EMPTY CHAIR ~
A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her
father.
When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed
with his head propped up on two pillows.

An empty chair sat beside his bed.
The minister assumed that the old fellow had been
informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me, he said.

'No, who are you?"
said the father.

The minister told him his name and then remarked,

"I saw the empty chair
and I figured you knew I was going to show up,"
"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man.
"Would you mind closing the door?

Puzzled, the minister shut the door.

"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.
"But all of my life I have never known how to pray.

At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went righ t
over my head."
I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day
four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple
matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest."

"Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see
Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised,
'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way
you're doing with me right now."
"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours
every day.

I'm careful though if my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair,
she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to
continue on the journey then he prayed with him, anointed him
with oil, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that h er dad dy
had died that afternoon. Did he die in peace?" he asked. Yes, when I left
the house about two o'clock,
he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the
cheek.

When I got back from the store an hour later,
I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death.

Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head
on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a
tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.

KATHY & MICHEAL SMYTH

FAMILY OF GENE (CHAINSAW MAN) POLLARD

Micheal and I aren't even sure where to start with the thoughts and love we have for everyone! Of course as Gene would say, "Short story Momma, short story"! Well this time I can't do a short story!

SUNDAY JANUARY 29TH 2006 MARKS 2 WEEKS SINCE GENE'S UNTIMELY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT & DEMISE.

IT STILL SEEMS UNREAL AND HARD TO ACCEPT!!!!

Micheal and I should have written the thanks and our love for all that have been and is there for Gene and Us!.

Micheal & I ("Momma" is what Gene always calls me & Micheal "Little Guy")

knowing that Gene was with the best friends during his last moment means so much and comforts Micheal and Myself (even though we would have given anything to have been with Gene) because each one was there and represented Micheal and myself since we could not get there in time.We know that Gene wouldn't have wanted any other way. Our love and our souls ran through our friends and Gene knows and knew we were there for and with him! We truly thank Dale and Lenora Legget, John and Sue End, (ESPECIALLY DALE AND LENOREA, JOHN AND SUE END) Mike and Sandy Holmes, Jason Fischer(coonass), Ron Mallett, they tried so hard I know to keep Gene alive and the Loss And the Horror they all went through can't even be put into words.I know there are so many more who love Gene and are there for Micheal and I. If there is anyway to show the Love Micheal and I have for everyone let us know, we feel it is impossible. Not one person has turned their back or has forgotten Gene & his family (Micheal his son & myself) Gene was and is truly our life, always will be! Gene gave back to us our, dignity, made us know how special we were and are! Gene was and is our life, world and soul. I can't put into words how much we loved and love Gene and how much Gene loved and loves us! Gene is very proud to know each and everyone. The acceptance of friendship immediately seemed like a lifetime. Gene is and was very excited of the new bond he has and had with each and every single person (friend). Not one single friend seemed like a stranger at all to Gene, This was was very special since Gene didn't think people accepted him very well. Gene had told me he had finally found a true group of friends that he felt he knew for a lifetime. Gene was included in everything and Gene hoped he made everyone feel welcome in every aspect (even with his damn oysters he just had to have HAHA!!!!) Gene is very proud of Micheal and Gene has made Micheal what he is today, a very giving, strong and the spittin image of Gene's manners, talk attitude and his giving spirit. A little scary isn't it! I wouldn't have it any other way. Micheal has become a man, the man Gene wanted him to be! Gene also knows that through our friends Micheal will be & stay the man Gene guided. Micheal says as the song goes, "He didn't have to be the dad he was(Gene) and he (Micheal) hopes he can be half the man he (Gene) was!!!!. I have told Micheal, "you are already the man Gene wanted & wants you to be. You are Gene. Again, we can not show enough gratitude or love for everyone who & will stand beside us. We know we are well loved and protected as Gene would & has protected us from any harm and danger.

Y'all are apart of us as we are of all of you

WITH OUR DEEPEST LOVE AND AFFECTION FOR ALL

MICHEAL (LITTLE GUY) AND KATHY (MOMMA)

Comments from Gene's Forum

Route Hawgs Jan 18, 06 - 5:30 AM	Gene Pollard Gene will be missed by everyone he has ever come in contact with. May his family and friends find peace and happiness.
John End Jan 19th, 2006 - 5:11 PM	Re: Gene Pollard I wanted to thank everyone for the send off we gave Gene. He would have said "It was pretty cool"! He will be deeply missed. My only regret was that I didn't get to know him better, he was truly a great brother.